How eSIM is revolutionizing wireless technology

Embedded Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) has grown rapidly over the past five years. By 2025, it is expected that more than 3.4 billion devices worldwide will have the software installed, compared to 1.2 billion in 2021.

Unlike regular SIM cards that users must manually insert into their devices, eSIMs are automatically embedded in every device and can be controlled and updated remotely. This gives it several unique benefits that revolutionize the way businesses and consumers think about wireless technology.

eSIMs have been the talk of the town for nearly a decade, but consumers and businesses have only recently begun to understand the potential of the technology. Google was the first to use eSIM in a mobile device, incorporating it into the Google Pixel 2 in 2017. Apple then popularized the concept by incorporating it into the iPhone XS in 2018. Since then, the market has exploded - eSIM is expected to be worth $4 billion by the end of 2023.

The versatility of an eSIM is its greatest strength. It makes it easy to store several profiles at once and quickly switch between them. This brings several exciting benefits. Frequent travelers can instantly switch to a local SIM card to avoid expensive international roaming charges.

Enterprises can optimize their technology and streamline key processes in their Internet of Things (IoT) to improve efficiency in daily operations. The birth of eSIM opens up a new world of technological possibilities.

Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) describes a network of physical objects with software that allows them to communicate with other “things.” This concept can be found in many modern smart homes. Thermostats, refrigerators, lights, and speakers often contain sensors that allow them to detect changes and respond to voice commands. eSIMs’ greatest potential is to revolutionize this industry.

The Internet of Things has several challenges to overcome in the future, with scalability and security being two of the biggest threats. Fortunately, eSIMs appear to be able to overcome both challenges.

Advantages of eSIMs

The potential for eSIMs to revolutionize wireless technology is an exciting prospect. Let’s look at some of the core ways eSIMs can provide new opportunities for businesses and consumers.

1. Mobile phone

eSIMs have several valuable benefits for phone users. One of the biggest appeals of eSIMs is that they are easy to install and use. Rather than waiting for a new SIM card to arrive, consumers can sign up with a new carrier in minutes, receive a QR code, and set up their eSIM.

eSIM also gives consumers more freedom to choose their network. All phones with eSIMs are unlocked, which means users can change carriers as often as they want. This should drive competitiveness and lead to a more user-centric mobile phone industry.

2. Production

eSIM has the potential to revolutionize the manufacturing industry by providing manufacturers with a new way to complete large-scale IoT projects.

eSIMs are smaller, more secure, easier to update, and less prone to human error. This allows companies to expand their operations without having to worry about losing control of daily procedures. Over time, eSIMs should give production companies the confidence to handle a wider range of businesses and increase their economies of scale.

3. Shipping

Using eSIM, businesses that ship globally can monitor and track packages in real time as they move around the world. Under normal circumstances, employees would have to change physical SIM cards at each new destination unless the business wanted to incur roaming charges. With eSIM, this is not a problem, as the eSIM can be quickly updated to reflect the new location of the package.

This means lower costs to connect with local carriers, greater package security, and lower costs for international shipping.

4. Vehicles

The automotive industry has embraced eSIM technology with open arms. The number of connected cars on the road is expected to increase from 84 million in 2021 to 305 million in 2035.

eSIMs will play a major role in simplifying connected cars for businesses. Manufacturers can equip every new car with the same eSIM model, regardless of the car's destination. The vehicle can be tracked in real time and only has to be programmed when it arrives in the destination country.

Consumers also benefit from automotive eSIM technology. Optimized 5G support and more secure connections allow drivers to make uninterrupted calls and receive real-time traffic updates. In addition, if a customer takes their car to another country or sells their car to someone else, the company can instantly reprogram the eSIM to account for these changes.

5. Security system

With the amazing growth of the home security industry, companies are often integrating eSIMs into alarms, sensors, and control systems.

Using IoT, eSIMs can securely link sensors to a centralized, independent connection that cannot be tampered with. This connection can seamlessly connect to a monitoring service, allowing the service to update the security system and remotely configure every sensor in the house.

Beyond eSIM technology

This technology not only makes it easier for users to manage their mobile connections. Nevertheless, it also opens up new possibilities for IoT devices and connected devices that were previously limited by traditional SIM cards. As 5G networks are rolled out around the world, eSIM technology is expected to be more widely adopted, providing users with faster and more reliable connections.

As the Internet of Things grows, eSIM technology is expected to play a key role in enabling seamless and secure connectivity for a wide range of devices, from smart homes and wearables to vehicles and industrial equipment. The future of eSIM cards looks bright and will continue to play a key role in shaping the wireless technology landscape in the coming years.

We’re likely to see businesses push eSIMs capabilities even further, innovating exciting new products that fully utilize the secure, integrated connectivity of the eSIM.

With eSIM connectivity solutions, smart devices will be more connected than ever before. As the cost of using eSIMs for businesses in large-scale IoT projects decreases, we’re likely to see premium technology become more affordable around the world.

Despite its constant development, eSIM still has more to offer. Only time will tell how far this technology can develop and what benefits it can bring us in the future.